One of the most persistent narratives promoted by Planned Parenthood and its defenders is that without them, women will lose access to essential healthcare. From press releases to political campaigns, the message is loud and clear: defunding Planned Parenthood means depriving millions of women of lifesaving medical services. But this claim doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. In reality, women have better alternatives, and the healthcare system is already shifting in response to the growing problems within Planned Parenthood itself. 

The Myth of Planned Parenthood as Essential Healthcare 

Planned Parenthood has long presented itself as a critical provider of women’s health services. Yet this image masks a troubling reality. Even as they raise alarms about being “under attack,” Planned Parenthood has been steadily shrinking in reach and impact.  

In the 1990s, Planned Parenthood served five million patients across 900 clinics. Today, those numbers have shrunk dramatically to just 2.1 million patients and 509 clinics. The number of clinics has consistently declined for more than two decades. Meanwhile, its political advocacy arm and executive budgets continue to balloon. 

This contradiction raises important questions: If Planned Parenthood is so essential, why are fewer and fewer women choosing to rely on them? 

Where Women Actually Go for Healthcare 

The truth is that in many places across the U.S., better and more accessible alternatives exist. Community health centers and Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHCs) serve women and families in the vulnerable communities Planned Parenthood often targets. These centers often offer a broader range of services than Planned Parenthood and are open to everyone, regardless of income, insurance, or immigration status. 

According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute: 

• There are an estimated 15 community-based health clinics offering women’s health care for every Planned Parenthood facility in the United States. 

• That’s over 8,800 community women’s health providers compared to just 509 (as of 2025) brick-and-mortar and virtual Planned Parenthood locations. 

Additionally, pregnancy centers have stepped up to provide free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, counseling, parenting classes, material support, and more. Organizations like Human Coalition refer women to healthcare providers and personally walk alongside women through their pregnancy and beyond, showing that abortion is not the only option—and shouldn’t even be considered. 

The Crisis Inside Planned Parenthood 

Even as it loses clients, Planned Parenthood’s internal problems are coming to light. Clinic workers and former employees have spoken out about poor treatment, low standards, and chaotic operations.  

Grace Larson, a former nurse in Minnesota, described a toxic work culture where undertrained staff struggled to provide even basic care. According to Larson, patients were sometimes prepped for the wrong procedure, given expired medications, or rushed through like “a conveyor belt.” 

Far from being a beacon of compassionate healthcare, many of Planned Parenthood’s clinics appear to function more like high-volume abortion mills, one of their most lucrative services. In fact, in 2024, they killed one baby every 77 seconds, totaling 402,230 abortions. 

For example, according to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, 96.9% of the time, women seeking help related to their pregnancy at Planned Parenthood were sold an abortion rather than given prenatal care, provided care for a miscarriage, or helped to make an adoption plan. 

In addition, the record abortion numbers despite the drop in Planned Parenthood facilities has increased with the use of the abortion pill mifepristone. American Life League National Director Katie Brown Xavios said, “Even in states where abortion pills are restricted, women can book virtual appointments and receive abortion drugs in the mail. This is not only unethical, it’s illegal.” 

With such confusion and poor treatment, the number of patients has increased by just 1% from the previous year (2022–2023) and was down by 23% from 2013.  

With patients declining and operating budgets increasing, it’s fair to ask: Where is the money really going? 

Why Women Are Choosing Better Care 

Many women are realizing they don’t need Planned Parenthood. While Planned Parenthood often rushes women through the abortion process, other organizations, such as pregnancy centers, take time to support and empower women with real choices. 

Groups like Human Coalition provide comprehensive care, from housing assistance to job support to parenting resources. As more women learn about these alternatives, the illusion of Planned Parenthood as their only option continues to crumble. 

This is why the defunding of Planned Parenthood isn’t just good policy—it’s good for women. 

The Path to Defunding Planned Parenthood 

The late Dean Nelson, former Vice President of Government Relations at Human Coalition, put it plainly: Planned Parenthood is the “kingpin” of the abortion industry. With 402,230 (2023–2024 numbers) abortions in a single year, Planned Parenthood is responsible for over 35% of all abortions in the United States.  

Despite declining clients, Planned Parenthood’s political power ensured that it continues to receive vast amounts of taxpayer funding. According to its 2023–2024 Annual Report, Planned Parenthood received a hefty sum of $792.2 million, over $2 million per day, from the American taxpayer. That’s your money funding an industry responsible for ending millions of preborn lives. 

But the pro-life movement is making headway. Legal and legislative victories to defund Planned Parenthood are pouring in: 

• Medina vs. Planned Parenthood was won (in this case, SCOTUS ruled that states can remove Planned Parenthood from their state Medicaid programs) 

• Congress defunded Planned Parenthood of Medicaid (this was the lion’s share of Planned Parenthood’s taxpayer funding—but the provision only lasts one year, so there is much more work to do) 

• Freezing Title X grants, a smaller but still significant funding stream, is under discussion due to potential violations related to DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) policies. 

You Can Play a Role 

• Let your friends, neighbors, and family members know that defunding Planned Parenthood is a moral and fiscal responsibility. Our nation needs to restore sanctity to our society, but also sanity to our spending. 

• Pray for an end to abortion. 

Each of these efforts chips away at the massive financial machine behind Planned Parenthood, redirecting funds to more ethical and effective providers. 

Life After Planned Parenthood 

So, what happens to Planned Parenthood’s clients if the organization closes its doors or loses federal funding? 

They get better care. 

Women will turn to FQHCs, pregnancy centers, and community clinics that provide a broader range of services with greater compassion and competence. They will discover resources that support them during and after pregnancy. And they will no longer be rushed into a decision by an organization that profits from abortion. 

Planned Parenthood has a long and troubling history—from its eugenic roots to its modern-day scandals. It has failed women through poor medical care, politicized priorities, and a relentless focus on abortion above all else.  

Defunding Planned Parenthood is not abandoning women. It’s setting them free. 

Healthcare does not begin or end with one controversial organization. The real future of women’s healthcare lies in diverse, community-based solutions that honor both mother and child.  

When Planned Parenthood is gone, its former clients won’t be left behind. They’ll be better off.